C'est dans le but de perfectionner mon Anglais que j'ai intégré cette structure.
Il s'agit d'un magasin de charité, vendant essentiellement des vêtements pour femmes, mais également divers autres choses, tel que les livres, les articles multimédias ou encore le linge de maison.
Le magasin récupère des vêtements et objets de 2nd main dont les gens ne veulent plus.
de ce fait le magasin n'a pas besoin de dépenser de l'argent pour s'approvisionner.
Lors d'une journée de travail, le magasin ouvre à 10h.
Il faut vérifier que le magasin soit plein, et que les articles mis en vente soient corrects.
Pour les articles qui ne sont pas vendable, nous les envoyons dans un centre de recyclage.
Pour ce qui est du personnel, il s'agit uniquement de bénévole, ce qui rend le magasin difficile à gérer mais pas tant que ça, car l'esprit de charité est très répandu en Irlande.
Il faut donc veiller à ce que les volontaires aient chacun une tâche allouée. Du tri des dons jusqu'à la gestion de la caisse.
Ce fut une expérience très enrichissante, car les volontaires n'étant pas payer viennent car ils en ont envie. Ce qui change la vision que l'on peut avoir du travail. C'est très difficile à exprimer car ce n'est pas quelque chose que l'on apprend sur les chaises d'une école ou encore dans les livres. Il s'agit d'une expérience humaine avant tous.
ProsDes gens agréables, près à donner de leur temps.
Oxfam overall was a fun place to work in, with really good employees who would help you with anything and who would take the time to share few jokes with you to lighten up the work environment. I learned so much from there and they are really doing a great job in helping people all over the world who are in need. I am happy I was able to help out with the Nepal disaster during my time there by bringing in donations. I would have never thought of doing it on my own had not the managers in Oxfam inspired me and motivated me. They have really good team leaders and Managers to keep their work going. Everybody there was friendly and helpful. A really good charity company I would say. It is because of Oxfam that I am able to gain so much confidence and become a better person both personally and professionally. Our fundraising department had the best bunch of people I ever met in my life. Everybody was so dedicated and passionate about their job that they inspired me so much and I was able to work alongside them with the same energy as them. I am really glad I got the opportunity to work in such a positive and healthy work place like Oxfam.
ProsFree coffee and sometimes food, lively and vibrant work place, positive people around
I was working at Oxfam for a week. I came home most days very wet (it rained almost every day) and I don't know how I didn't catch a cold. The work environment is good, but sometimes it's stressful when someone gets a signature and you still don't have one or when everyone is waiting for you to get one so they can go home. There's pressure sometimes.
The bosses are nice for the most part, they helped me a lot in everything I needed. They gave us free food and drinks sometimes. They paid for our training. Good pays (11,11E/h the first 20 days and after that 13,13E/h, but is very hard to arrive there).
The worst, the weather conditions you have to face (no matter what the weather, you're going to have to go out there the same), the pressure from the targets and the general rejection. You have to deal with very unpleasant people who sometimes don't even open the door when they see you're Oxfam, they just make gestures of rejection that make you feel terrible. I always thought everyone exaggerated about it, but 8 hours of rejection ends up generating frustration for anyone.
Recommended ONLY if you know how to sell.
I worked as a Campaigner for a short while, gathering signatures for a petition on the streets. It is very difficult because you are standing for 8 hours in the pouring rain, trying to make people stop, get out from under their umbrellas and sign the petition.
We also had targets (not only the number of signatures per hour, but we were supposed to get 80% phone numbers from them, so they can be later called and asked if they want to also donate money). We had team leaders coming to us hourly and saying we need to meet our targets, which was very stressful. Also, 2 meetings/week with the manager, for a performance review.
So, although I really believed in the cause and the petition, I didn't manage to meet my targets and convince a lot of people to stop. But if you are good at Sales, the place is great - the team is full of young, vibrant people and the team leaders are friendly and supportive.
Prosyoung team, a lot of teambuilding, not working in an office, going to festivals
Consworking in all weather conditions, working weekends during the summer, strict targets
I was part of the Corporate Services team and was responsible for manning the reception area, although this was not very busy. The number of calls were very few and hardly anyone ever called into the office. I opened the morning's post and ensured the evening's post was ready for collection. Other than this I was responsible for maintaining a stock of stationery and processing a few invoices. The job was only part-time, but the days weren't busy enough. When I asked for more duties I was told that they couldn't ask me to do work which was above my pay grade. When I originally applied for the role I was led to believe it would develop into something more substantial but after almost 2 years it did not change. Most of the people who worked there were very nice, but the job was not challenging enough.
ProsGood Salary and Holidays
ConsNot Challenging enough and travel to work was too long
A typical day of work would start with a brief discussion with my manager about the work I was expected to do for the day and counting the float for the till. Some days l had to change the displayed items for sale on the shop window and that involved a lot of creativity and a passion for fashion in order to attract customers to come in and view and hopefully make a purchase. The challenging part of the job was to handle challenging customers. During the course of my work l learnt that the best way to deal with challenging customers is listening to the customer, honestly assessing if l am able to assist them or if the problem is beyond me ,I get proper support and work with them to ensure satisfaction. The most enjoyable part of my job was to see a customer coming out of shop smiling.
It is hard work but by god it is so worth it. The team is like family, heck they are family. I would go back in a heartbeat if I could but unfortunately I have a bad hip so I can't. Absolutely love Oxfam and everything about them. They have your back and you have theirs, if you need help you can talk to them, they will be there and help you. I am gone just over 2 years and I still see them from time to time.
Couldn't say a bad word about them, it was so fun we used to race each other to doors just to keep up moral.
How it is run and how exciting it is, is just amazing.
Hard when it is lashing rain, cold and you just want people to help with the cause. It can turn fun when you show up at the door pretending its sunny, you meet amazing people, hear unbelievable stories but so worth it with the team by your side
I am currently employed by this charity as a store manager. Every day is a huge pressure, trying to sort donations with little help as volunteers are thin on the ground. So you will find yourself working alone quite often. The pressure from retail head office is relentless as you can never make enough money to keep them off your back. Then you get emails from various head office personnel, there seems to be endless "heads of departments" all of which are invisible to the store managers and none of us know what they do.
The retail part appears to be run by people who should have moved on 20 years ago and no longer know what they are doing, but are happy to take their over-inflated salaries.
ProsGreat store team
Conslong hours (unpaid) incompetent and overly agrressive head office.
On a typical day I start at 12 and finish at 5. My main jobs were to make sure that the store was presentable which involved making sure that all the clothes were properly folded and well placed and working on the till at the front desk. What I took away from the job is how to work efficiently in a working environment and how to provide good and quality costumer service. For me there was no part of the job that I didn't enjoy because I got to meet and interact with different people from all walks of life which was very enjoyable. My co-workers were quite friendly and helpful when help was needed. The management within the shop was well organised and there was never a crisis.
A typical day at work would consist of steaming clothes before placing them on hangers to be sold in the shop. I learned how to use the cash register and to deal with customers on a daily basis and assist them when shopping for clothes. The shop was a run in a productive, ideal environment which was suitable for the consumer. The shop usually had about six helpful and knowledgeable assistants working there at a time who were always keen to help out. The hardest part of the job would have to be getting used to the way the shop worked and understanding the order of the clothes. The most enjoyable part of the job would have to be gaining experience and having the opportunity to work in well run shop.
Bad team leaders with bad judgement who can and will fire you on whim. Waste of time.
I had a very poor experience in my short time as an employee with Oxfam. After having gone through a somewhat lengthy (but pleasant) process to obtain employment as a trainee fundraiser at Oxfam, I was ruthlessly fired after working on field for half a day. The reasons they gave were that I apparently didn’t know my script to a satisfactory standard and did not have a personality suitable for the role. I must emphasise again that this judgement was formed after working there for half a day (just a number of hours). I was not even provided with sufficient feedback, given the opportunity to improve or provided with any support or encouragement , instead I had the misfortune of working under a negative team leader who seemed to look down upon new recruits like myself.
I attempted to understand this seemingly rash dismissal by discussing it with another team leader (who was the one who fired me). This team leader responded by informing me that she had “fired people within minutes before” (said as if it was supposed to make me feel better for lasting half a day before getting fired). This company evidently does not treat new recruits with respect and I suspect must has a high turnover rate. I would however like to acknowledge a select few people during the hiring process and via zoom orientation who were pleasant to engage with. However, the team leaders, who new recruits are subjected to work with on a daily basis, in my experience are horrible and they are the ones who have the
Productive workplace and an environment in which I am able to learn new skills and enhance existing ones
I work for the Oxfam charity on a regular basis. I work for 4 hours on a saturday afternoon (1 - 5) and really enjoy it. I have met lots of new people who I have formed very close relationships with over the time that I have been working there. I have learnt some highly important skills such as:
- Organisation
- Team leadership
- Team management
- Time keeping
- Stocking
- Culling
- Banking
- Cash handling
- Customer service
- Pricing
All of these skills I have learnt in the period that I have been working for the charity (which is a little under a year) and I have also enhanced my existing ones, which could come in useful in the workplace
I often get referred to as the 'assistant manager', this basically means that when my manager isn't in, I have to manage all the staff in the workplace and set them tasks in which to complete. I am also in charge of recruiting new volunteers into the charity, as well as training them up on areas such as:
- Pricing strategies
- How to work the till
- Culling
- Window displays
- How to work effectively with others
Many of my co-workers I manage. I get along with these people very well, this is mainly due to my outgoing, chatty nature. Although my co-workers would describe me as 'bossy', they appreciate the work I do and see that being bossy is only part of my job. Many of my co-workers enjoy working with me as I make their day at work enjoyable.
The hardest part of my job is dealing with awkward customers, this is something I have to de
Prosmeet new people and work with some great people
I work there on a Thursday and a Friday. On a Friday morning I arrive there to start work at 9 am. I am usualy working on the till in a front of house customer service job role, answering the customers enquires face to face or by phone. I easily build a rapport this comes naturaly to me. I have a friendly out going nature; I am easily approachable, and have a passion for looking after the customers and delivering a high level of care. Shop promotions; for example asking customers who are donating items if they would like to gift aid, If they would like to! going through this procedure with them.
When the deputy manager goes for his lunch. I go for mine for an hour at 11 pm I run the shop as a team leader at 1pm some one else goes on the till. I now work on shop displays, sorting and pricing stock and general stockroom duties working in the back of the shop. Sometimes printing gift aid barcode labels on the computer.
Once a month in my role as the health and safety officer; I carry out the shop monthly health and safety checks, following the check list and writing the report, action to be taken, and action that has been taken. I last did this on 20 June. I am also responsible for health and safety in the shop for all and keep a look out for situations implementing this at all times. I finish at Oxfam at 4,45pm
Every other Friday during my lunch break I help out in another voluntary job a meet and greet job role at the Bicester Job Club. At the moment I am enroled on a custo
Friendly workplace where you can really make a difference
I've been working in the charity fundraising business for years now, and I've never loved it more than with the Oxfam Frontliners.
The job itself is mostly calling people from your computer and talking to people who have donated to Oxfam in the past, and convincing them to switch over to a monthly model of charitable giving. Through this, you get interesting and memorable conversations every single day. It's a kaleidoscope of unique perspectives and kooky characters, all the while your performance is boosted by the passion you may have in the important topics of humanitarian work. And important to note: you're going to hear a lot of old ladies tell you about their grandchildren. It's lovely.
You'll learn a lot. Both about the donors you speak to (and their grandchildren) and about the various issues and politics of the world. The biggest thing I think you will learn, however, is how to effectively communicate with people.
The management is great. Lovely people who are a pleasure to work with and are just great at their jobs. They help to really make the workplace a pleasant and comfortable place to be. There are two meetings over zoom each week where the team gets together to talk, share stories, and do activities to hone our skills in fundraising. They are easily the most fun parts of the work week, and always something to look forward to.
It's not always an easy job. Talking about the world's largest problems day in and day out can start to wear on you. There is a le
ProsMakes a difference in the world, You can work from home, You talk to lots of interesting people, Lovely work culture, You learn lots about the world
ConsFaced with plenty of rejection from people who don't want to donate, Talking about the world's issues day in and out can have a mental toll.
Typical day:
- Rise early, return late.
- Help, share, support, people in need after 2017 hurricanes Irma and Maria.
What I learned:
- Globaly accepted non-discriminatory practices
- Passion for response/support after a natural catastrophic event
- The reality of non-governmental organizations, 85% of the resources are spent by the organization, leaving a scarce 15% for the real need
- The reality about both state and federal response inadequacy for the 2017 response efforts
- The reality of how a state government can derail a response/recovery effort by allowing personal greed to take over population's well being in the aftermath of natural catastrophic disasters
- Poverty levels in the island have been underestimated by far by all recent past administrations
- The island is going to be successful in its recovery if and only if local non-profit, non-governmental organizations bear the brunt. If we allow international non-profit organizations lead the effort we are going to allow the island to sink again, considering that only 15% of the aid actually ends -up in the country if an international NGO handles the effort.
Management:
- Highly skilled and experienced
Workplace culture
- Outstanding
Hardest part of the job:
- The exit performance evaluation fell short of my expectations, by far, after having performed the most rewarding and outstanding response recovery effort in the island by impacting over 2,000 households in the worst struck areas of the island, the inner
ProsGot to know the mountain people, their remarkable humbleness, and perseverence during the aftermath of natural disasters.
ConsExpectations fell short during the transition from the response to the recovery stage, lack of continuity of the programs and opportunities gathered during the initial response.
Provided vast capcity building, value in humanitarian aide to most vulnerable population, great teamwork, vast exposure to various countries
OXFAM has provided vast capacity building, the great value and principles in humanitarian aide to most vulnerable population to reduce poverty and suffering and respect of their rights, great teamwork, vast exposure to various countries and respect to diversity. I learned and devloped a lot of skills while working with OXFAM.
A typical day of work would be in a refugee or evacuation camp managing a team of 20-30 staff, meetings to address the water, sanitation and hygiene related risks, meetings with community and stakeholders and government. Another typical day is at the office for coordination meetings, planning, writing proposals and donor reports, budgeting, logistical procurement planning and management meetings.
Workplace - physical environment wise on the country being deployed: big office with huge team to manage, requires team player skills, capacity building work to improve staff, different languages and culture, requires adaptation and fexibility of various living condition in countries hit by natural disasters or conflict/war stricken areas where basic facilities are mostly damaged.
The hardest part is working more than the regular hours to save more lives, especially during acture phase of programme response or diasease outbreaks to reach more people provided with water/sanitation/hygiene services - while dealing with security issues, accessibility etc. But ultimately despite the hard work, I greatly enjoyed and felt fulfilled with all the achievem
Prosper diem, free accomodation, transport, rest and recreations
ConsLong hours of work, without overtime pay, security risks, long travel, remote areas or cities
This was a voulenteer job, which resulted in things being a bit more relaxed than some places, but that may be in part due to the low influx of customers. My general roles were to man the tills, dealing with customer enquiries, stock taking and occasionally opening the shop up and banking stock takings.
During this time, I learned about working tills and stock taking.
However, I have to say - the management was seriously incompetent. Me and other lower-level employees were often snubbed and very often mistakes that the boss made were shoved onto us. By the time my employment ended, one of my co-workers was writing letters of complaint to her, and I was tempted to do so as well, albeit in a more polite manner.
Speaking of Co-workers, however, they were very polite and good people. Voulenteer jobs tend to attract kinder people (Because they're there because they want to be), but they were very nice even by charity shop standards.
The hardest part of the job, however, was to just try and keep motivated. A lot of the time, the job was very, very slow and the shop extremely vacant. Having to operate the till to facilitate a sale more than once every twenty minuites was considered a massive rush. Eventually, this did end up resulting in the closure of the shop, due to the lease running out and us not having the funding to continue operations.
However, this was also a good part of the job as well - I was surrounded by books, and was more than welcome to read whil
ProsBooks to read, friendly atmosphere, good co-workers.
ConsBlundering manager, Boredom, Short hours and no pay.
It is demanding work that needs a full updated and fresh memory that can read and provide information and analysis on daily bases. I have learned to get and share in-depth analysis about the humanitarian context in relation to other aspects that affects the running of programs as well as the overall situation of the geographical and thematic areas in conflict affected zones. I have worked as member of the Country senior staff and leadership team which allowed me to strengthen my knowledge and experience about management and take decisions based on different prospective views and full responsibility of consequences might impact the organization work, provision of service which might affect directly or indirectly the lives of people benefiting form the humanitarian support that the organization is offering.
I have had a strong team with a great & long-term experience and knowledge about humanitarian work in Sudan. That helped the overall running of program in all sectors that organization is covering. My colleagues were able to play their role actively and responsibly as a band.
The hardest part was about sharing data on time which was affecting the punctuality of sharing the reports and therefore the overall performance of me as Communications focal person. sometimes, there was confusion and lack of clarity in roles and responsibilities of other related positions which was sometimes cause delays or overloads at one person. And at the personal level, there was always the qu
Prosflexible working hours & good social life among the staffs which extended to their families
It's a volunteer position. I think that maybe I hit the wrong button. But that being said volunteering at Oxfam is a good experience. It's not demanding. But when you're there, it really feels like you're a piece of the machine. Handling donations and talking to people who really believe in the mission statement of the company. A lot of people are here for a little direction, people who want something to do and something they can have a little pride in doing. It's great experience that covers a huge amount of areas. It's a holistic education in retail (stock room work and till work) married with a charitable spirit that lends itself to a more liberal love for products. Rather than a rigid company style and product, in the stock-room you evaluate a wide range of products on their quality and their appeal to the wide range of customers who come to sample merchandise and engage with what Oxfam has to offer.
There's also a far more human level of interaction with potential donors. Other retail has a rigid relationship with deliveries. Whereas strangers come to Oxfam looking for something good-hearted. Making them feel wanted and at home and that their coming down and offering something is a very good thing. Making them feel a part of the team. It encourages them to come back. People can often feel uneasy about donating. There's a lot of cynicism about charity, especially Oxfam. And engaging with that cynicism and re-working it as a positive thing. They want to donate somewhere
Oxfam Knaresborough is a small shop always looking for more volunteers.
Oxfam has a fantastic manager who is very empowering. My confidence has grown enormously since she took over the role.
I have had the opportunity to try many new duties and realise I can be successful at them.
I joined initially to gain experience of an electronic till. I enjoy meeting and working with the public. I have been trusted to open the shop and put the float in the till, I am trusted to go to the bank with the takings. When the supervisor was busy I was asked to give a Health & Safety presentation at the volunteer meeting. I had never done anything like that before. I thought volunteers could be bored with it, so I put serious issues into rhyme to make it more interesting and everybody not only listened but clapped!
Since then I have been asked to make up poems to advertise Gift Aid for donations and also other events such as Valentines Day, Mothers Day etc, throughout the year. These have been displayed in the shop window. I have also had the opportunity to dress the windows.
Twice I have been elected to go on the Oxfam market stall on Wednesday's. It is different selling to the shop envirionment, as I believe I have to approach people and talk to them, getting them interested in the stock on the stall. Last time I made the most money of the day. In the shop I say "Hello" but customers usually browse until they ask for something or want to pay.
I enjoy filling up on my departm
ProsMeet new people, Make new friends, learn new skills
ConsAsked to volunteer more than usual times.
Questions and answers about Oxfam
How are the working hours at Oxfam?
Asked 10 Jul 2018
they were fine
Answered 8 Sept 2022
15 hrs a week
9-2pm
Answered 2 Jun 2022
Why would you want to work at Oxfam?
Asked 22 Aug 2017
In order to improve on my career and to help save lives in my own little way
Answered 24 Jun 2020
Good salesperson, happy go lucky
Answered 31 Jan 2019
How long does it take to get hired from start to finish at Oxfam? What are the steps along the way?
Asked 22 Aug 2017
Not sure as i came there on a ce scheme
Answered 13 Apr 2019
You look for vacancies on their website and submit details for required one. They call for an interiew and that's it.
Answered 10 Jul 2018
How should you prepare for an interview at Oxfam?
Asked 13 Sept 2019
Make sure all relevant documents are intact for the interview.Be an excellent communicator.Put on a smiling countenance.Remain calm
Answered 24 Jun 2020
Be yourself. Stay unnerved.
Answered 26 Sept 2019
How do you feel about going to work each day at Oxfam?
Asked 26 Aug 2019
Repetitive and yet stressful
Answered 4 Apr 2022
Very good and happy to be part of helping a good cause.
